Josh Groban

1. Josh Groban Kyle McFarland Music 1010

2. Early History • Born February 27, 1981, in Los Angeles, CA. • Primarily focused on theatrical arts. • In 7th grade performed first solo (S’wonderful)

3. Education and Ambitions • Though Groban would later become an amazing singer/songwriter, his dream was to become an actor. • After seventh grade, Groban transferred to Bridges Academy. • Bridges was a high end preparatory school for highly gifted students. • Groban was able to attend morning classes from 9:00am to 1:00pm, followed by theater class.

4. Education Cont. • After some time at Bridges, Josh Groban transferred to Angeles County High School for the Arts, located on the California State University, Los Angeles campus. • This school specializes in the training of music, theater, visual arts and dance • Groban graduated from ACHSA in 1999.

5. College • Following his graduation from ACHSA in 1999 Groban attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, PA. • However, four months into his first semester Groban was offered a recording contract and withdrew from his classes to pursue a career in music.

6. Foot In The Door • At the age of seventeen, Josh Groban was introduced to David Foster and Brian Avnet. • David Foster was a prominent composer, singer-songwriter and arranger. • David Foster was behind some of the biggest hits of the time. • Foster worked with Celine Dion, Prince, Michael Jackson and tons more!

7. Foster’s Role In Groban’s Career • Foster hired Groban to be a rehearsal singer for 1999 Grammy Awards. • Following this performance, Groban received a guest spot on the Rosie O’Donnell show.

8. Groban lands role in season finale of Ally McBeal show as Malcolm Wyatt. • After many requests his character is brought back for the next season.

9. Groban Signed • Groban was offered a record deal through 143 records. • 143 Records is a sub-label of Warner Bros. Run by David Foster and Brian Avnet. • Within a year of release, Josh Groban’s self titled debut album was double-platinum • Although Groban was an amazing pop singer, Foster pushed Groban to focus more on a classical musician.

10. Honorary Performances • Sang at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT. • In 2002 performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway. • Performed at the Vatican with other world renowned artists.

11. Giving To Charity • Groban has donated and performed for many charitable events. • VH1’s Save the Music • Tsunami Aid • The Hear Foundation Gala • In 2007 donated $150,000 to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to fund music education programs.

12. Second Album “Closer” • Groban’s second album “Closer” reached number one on the billboard charts within two months. • Second album was both written and produced by David Foster.

13. Third Album “Awake” • Regarding his third album, Groban states "I am fortunate enough to have had many really big moments in my career. I think the mistake a lot of people in my position make is to always search for the next big thing. I am looking forward to playing some small theaters. I'm looking forward to writing more. I want to delve further into my acting career and explore some of the film and TV opportunities that I haven't had time for. My outlook is to expect the unexpected. And when the next step comes, I'm prepared to take it.”*

14. Fourth Album “Illuminations” • November of 2010, Groban’s fourth album, “Illuminations,” was released • Displays more original songs than on previous albums • Regarding the album Groban says it was inspired by by “specific situations that I've had where love has existed and ultimately failed.”*

15. Future Plans • Set to release in July of 2011, Groban will co-star in a comedy film with Emma Stone and Steve Carell.

16. Summary of Biography • At age 29 Josh Groban has released five hit albums • Sung with the worlds finest musicians • Impacted the lives of thousands of young musicians • Demonstrated generosity to many great causes

17. With no end in sight, Groban’s career seems to be sky rocketing, with his pop/rock and classical inspired works of many different styles and languages, Groban has made his presence as an amazing musician known throughout the world.

18. Listening Guide Josh Groban

19. Hidden Away • Written and composed by Josh Groban and Dan Wilson (semisonic) • Arrangement by David Campbell • released in November of 2010 • Produced by Rick Rubin • Piano and vocals: Josh Groban • Guitar: Matt Sweeney and Smokey Hormel on guitar

20. War at Home • Written by Josh Groban • Groban explains, "It came from a trip to Walter Reed Hospital in DC, where I was talking to soldiers. Theirs is a struggle we ignore as a country - the veterans who come home and fight battles for rest of their lives.“* • Released November 2010 • Produced by Rick Rubin

21. February Song • My favorite piece of music by Groban • Lyrics by Josh Groban and John Ondrasik • Music by Josh Groban and De Vries • Arranged by Mona Rejino • Groban stated, "I was half asleep on the couch ... I was just out of a relationship, I had just finished the whole experience of 'Closer' and the tour, and there were a lot of decisions about my future that had to be made, all by myself. I got up, sat at the piano and wanted to write a melody that represented that journey and the loneliness of that feeling -- with the assurance that answers would come. It came to me in the flick of an eye.”*

22. Listening Guide Josh Groban

23. Hidden Away • 0.00 Intro: The song starts in the key of C in 4/4 time. It starts with a beautiful piano intro that sets the melody for the rest of the song, this continues for 1 ¾ measures before singing begins. • 0.07 Verse 1:Vocalist (Josh Groban) begins singing, in the bass 2 or baritone range. The vocals follow the melody of the piano, which is still playing a loop of the intro. • 0.34 Chorus 1: The chorus begins with a mezzo-forte intro. One beat later, an acoustic guitar enters with a soft plucking that really stands out from, but at the same time, compliments the melody of the piano. Throughout this part of the chorus, vocals are in the 2nd tenor range; there is very little crescendo or decrescendo. • 1.44 Verse 2:The second verse begins with an amplification of the cello/violins, then focusing back on the vocalist singing a baritone range, not really increasing or decreasing in pitch. In the second verse, the guitar becomes more noticeable, as does the orchestra. • 2.11 Chorus 1 • 2.38 Chorus 2: The second chorus begins, again with mezzo-forte vocals singing in falsetto. The orchestra and piano are also playing much louder, while the vocals transition back and forth between falsetto and full voice. The melody and vocals transition between mezzo-piano while the guitar is playing a beautiful, rich melody mixed in with the piano and orchestra then back into mezzo-forte. • 3.32 Coda: The second chorus decrescendos into the piano, orchestra and guitar playing the melody. Vocalist sings at falsetto for a couple measures, then with all accompaniment decrescendos into silence. • 3.54 Ends: Silence

24. War at Home • 0.00 Intro: This song begins with an ensemble of horns and a bass drum playing a very slow, sweeping melody. The melody is carried by the horns and the drum is played every fourth beat. Towards the end of the intro, the horns hold their last note and decrescendo into the first verse. • 0.34 Verse 1:The first verse begins with the decrescendo of the horns in the intro, and introduces a new melody carried by a piano for one half measure until vocals begin. Vocalist enters singing in the baritone range, singing in the volume of pianissimo, with the piano playing a reoccurring loop of five or six notes. • 1.02 Verse 2:Verse two begins with the same horn ensemble as the intro with an added orchestral accompaniment playing slightly louder than the horns. Vocals begin, following a single beat of the bass drum. Vocals mimic the same melody and volume of the first verse- the only difference is the addition of the orchestra and drum: the drum is now playing every second beat. The second verse continues, and the vocals and accompaniment crescendos into the chorus. • 1:45 Chorus: Chorus begins with vocalist volume of forte, the accompaniment of horns, orchestra and drum crescendo into the introduction of a snare drum. Now both the snare and bass drum have a heavier marcato. The snare drum is playing a military march styled theme. • 2.31 Verse 3: Following the introduction of the snare drum, a synthesized soprano choir is introduced playing an ascending scale with the only other accompaniment being the piano playing the same reoccurring five or six note loop with a faint orchestra in the back. The orchestra crescendos, becoming the more prominent melody with violins playing a faster paced accompaniment to the melody. Both the vocals and accompaniment crescendo to mezzo-forte. • 2:58 Chorus: Chorus begins similarly to the previous chorus, with vocals singing forte in the second tenor range, and the accompaniment playing mezzo-forte. The snare drum is still carrying a military beat. At 3:25 the chorus is lengthened and a choir is added, with a mixture of both men and women singing in all voice parts. • 3:51 Coda: Main vocalist (Josh Groban) is continuing chorus slowly and crescendos into fortissimo. Continues singing an altered chorus, in forte with the accompaniment also forte. The accompaniment starting at mezzo-forte builds to fortissimo, vocalist crescendos into fortissimo and holds this for a few beats, then vocals end. Accompaniment continues after vocals end, then decrescendos from forte to silence. • 4.44 End: Silence

25. FebruarySong • 0:00 Intro: Song begins with piano playing in the key of E sharp in ¾ time. Piano continues for nine measures, playing softly (pianissimo). At the end of each measure, a faint electric guitar playing pianissimo. • 0:22 Verse 1: Vocals begin in the low second tenor range at a volume of mezzo-piano, with the same piano accompaniment as the intro playing at the same volume level. At 0:47 the piano becomes more noticeable as the first verse continues. • 1:12 Chorus: The chorus begins with vocalist singing at a volume of mezzo-forte in falsetto, and then transitioning back into full voice. Also introduced in the beginning of the chorus at 1:12 is the use of a cymbal to transition into a group of violins. The vocals continue to transition between falsetto and full voice, while maintaining a mezzo-forte volume. • 1:53 Verse 2: Being introduced in the beginning of the second verse is a beat carried by a drum set, with the guitar, piano, and violins continuing to carry the melody. Vocals remain constant at the volume level of mezzo-piano, then crescendos into the second chorus. • 2:19 Chorus: Chorus begins the same as the previous chorus, with mezzo-forte, falsetto vocals and a mezzo-forte accompaniment. The chorus is rich, soothing and very relaxing. At 2:55 both the vocals and the accompaniment crescendo into fortissimo. • 3:10 Instrumental: Following the second chorus, the song breaks into a short instrumental focusing mainly on the orchestra, piano, drums and the vocalist holding a series of notes in the background. This part of the song is very dramatic, the accompaniment crescendos, while the vocals soar in the background, this continues until 3:42 when the chorus begins again. • 3:42 Chorus: After the powerful instrumental crescendos into the chorus, the vocalist is singing at a volume of fortissimo for a few more measures. • 4:17 Coda: The previous chorus decrescendos to the piano volume level, and the coda continues at this volume level. The only accompaniment remaining is the piano and violins playing softly at a volume of mezzo-piano. Vocalist repeats the first verse, and decrescendos until all you hear is the piano decrescendo into silence. • 5:08 End: six seconds of silence.

26. Bibliography • josh groban. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 05, 2011, from www.joshgroban.com • music notes. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 05, 2011, from www.musicnote.com • song facts. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 05, 2011, from www.songfacts.com • wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 04, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Groban • Photo Sources: • Slide 1: http://www.marrasmusic.com/ • Slide 4: http://www.merinews.com/article/musical-theatre-right-mix-of-masala-and-music/15751337.shtml • Slide 7: http://copiousnotes.typepad.com/weblog/2008/02/pavarotti-gramm.html • Slide 8: http://w3.villagelife.com/entertainment/painter-turns-town-center-coffee-shop-into-art-studio/ • Slide 9: http://rateyourmusic.com/label/143_records/ • Slide 12: http://joshgrobanvolod.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/josh-groban_studio-albums/ • Slide 14: http://www.joshgroban.com/media/gallery/113 • Slide 17: http://www.flickr.com/photos/myunghan/4552188527/